Today’s Partner:
Happy Memorial Day Weekend!
It’s the unofficial start of summer, and we’re unpacking it all…
In this issue:
13 events for Memorial Day
The hottest estate sale in May
BART parking just got spendy
- 5 minute read today. GO GET IT.
Was this forwarded to you? Subscribe here so you don’t miss the next issue.
Town Deal
Giveaway: Win 2-hours of Pickleball ($120 Value)
Pickleball is no longer your mom and dad’s favorite sport… it’s for everyone.
Enter: Pickle Athletics, a women-owned indoor pickleball club that opened last November. The club packs a full gym, sauna, cafe, full bar, and private parking. Plus, the team there has been rolling out an S-tier events lineup ever since they’ve opened.
This week, we’ve partnered with Pickle Athletics to give away a 2-hour court rental for up to 6 guests ($120 value).
To enter, reply “Pickleball” to this newsletter.
One winner will be randomly selected. Deadline is Tuesday 5/26, so reply now.
Town Sponsor
Your next yoga class in Oakland is FREE
The Abundance Collective is Oakland's grassroots, female-owned wellness studio. Tucked at 376 40th St., it's built on one idea: wellness belongs to everyone.
Whether you’re a seasoned yogi or just trying to touch your toes (like me), The Abundance Collective has classes and instructors to fit your needs. Plus, it’s all donation-based so pay whatever you can.
Tonight, instructor Sarah is opening her Alignment Yoga class to Oaktown readers for free. Come check out the space, get a stretch in, and make some new friends — at no cost.
(Can’t make it tonight? Check out their full class schedule here.)
Your Weekend
It’s a stacked Memorial Day Weekend
If you’re staying in town this week, there’s plenty to do…
All Weekend
Catch a Ballers game now that they’re baaaaack
The Ballers kicked off their 2026 season with a sold out opening day Tuesday. This weekend they’re playing a homestand against Long Beach Coast with four themed games on the skedge:
All games at Raimondi Park and if you’re curious here’s the full Ballers schedule.
Take the kids to Dinos Alive at the Henry J
My kid is in a massive dino phase, and when I caught wind of the life-size animatronic dinosaur exhibit at HJK I had to share. The experience runs now through July 31st, so you’ve got time to check it out. | Timed slots every 30mins from 9:30am - 7:30pm, Henry J. Kaiser Center, See Details →
Friday, May 22
Preserved in Rockridge celebrates 11 years
Now, they haven’t been at the Rockridge location for 11 years BUT Preserved has been slinging (or storing?) picklin’ knick knacks and knowledge for over a decade now. They’re throwing a party to celebrate. | Friday 5-8pm, 5540 College Ave., See Details →
Saturday, May 23
Join a Baby Rave Saturday morning
“Unstructured kid-centered dance party” describes about 80% of my social functions, but the difference is, this one is an actual dance party. Costumes are encouraged, not required. Recommended ages are 1-4. Kids are free, adults $20. | Saturday 9:30-11:30am, 507 55th St., See Details →
Louie x Tallboy
Louie Club takes over Tallboy for a stacked lineup of local DJs and immaculate vibes. Always. Just a heads up, RSVP does not guarantee entry. Go early. | Saturday 8-2am, 4210 Telegraph Ave., RSVP →
Sunday, May 24
The estate super sale for your weekend…
Telegraph Estate is opening its warehouse this Sunday. If you’ve never been, imagine if every estate sale from zip codes far and wide got together and dumped the best finds into a warehouse. That’s it. BUT it’s not a secret. Lineup at least 15-30 minutes before opening if you want a good look. | Sunday, 10-3pm. 1900 Campbell St. See Details →
Monday, May 25 - Memorial Day
Golden State Valkyries vs. Connecticut Sun
The Valkyries are back at Chase Center for another season. Catch them on your day off and enjoy a Polynesian Heritage Night t-shirt. | Monday tip-off @ 7pm, Chase Center, See Tickets →
Third Weekend
Standby picks for this weekend
Discover event series you can always count on.
Piedmont Summer Night Markets | Third Thursday
This summer, Piedmont Ave. is hosting monthly night markets. Participating businesses will stay open late hosting exclusive pop-ups, tastings, live music, and more. The first one is TONIGHT! | Every 3rd Thursday, 5-8pm. See Details →
Want a Farmers Market for the weekend?
There’s more than JUST the Lake Merritt Farmers Market. Try these two for your Sunday:
West Oakland Farmers Market — Every Sunday, 10am–2pm, 18th & Peralta St (near Prescott Market)
Jack London Square Farmers Market — Every Sunday, 11am–4pm, 472 Water St.
Top Tickets
What shows are coming to Oakland?
A look at the hot tickets coming to Oakland venues.
Juvenile at The Fox Theater
June 5 | See Tickets →Ariana Grande at Oakland Arena
June 6, 9, 10 | See Tickets →James Blake at Greek Theater
June 11 | See Tickets →Bob Dylan at Greek Theater
June 13 & 14 | See Tickets →DaBoyDame & Friends at The Fox Theater
June 19 | See Tickets →
Your East Bay Real Estate Digest
Prepared by Oaktown Partner, Martin Kojnok
OAKTOWN FAVORITE
958 28th St., #2825B, Oakland
2 Bed, 1.5 Bath | 1,781 sqft | Presented at $875,000
Oaktown’s Take: Four years ago, I had an unhealthy obsession with “Shouses” and “Barndominiums.” This feels like the Oakland version of that fever dream. Pulls double duty with living space and a built-out salon.
699 Arimo Ave, Oakland
2 Bed, 2 Bath | 1,378 sqft
$1,250,000
5340 Walnut St, Oakland
2 Bed, 1 Bath | 1,138 sqft
$649,000
ASK A REALTOR
Q: “Is it hard to get homeowners’ insurance in Oakland?”
A: Getting homeowners' insurance in Oakland may be harder than it used to be — but coverage is still available.
Expect to pay more. Premiums are risk-driven, and insurers are pricing carefully (and recouping years of artificially low rates).
Location matters — fire-risk areas cost more than flatlands. So do home specifics: roof age, electrical, plumbing, defensible space… it all factors in.
- Martin
Got a question about real estate in the Bay? Reply to this email with your question, we’ll get it answered by an actual expert AND maybe feature it (anonymously ofc).
Pet of the Week
Meet Cookie and Chip from Temescal/Bushrod
Together, they go by Oreo.
Want your pet to be a star? Hit reply, send me a photo, their name and their neighborhood. Cats welcome.
Town News
Trending stories for your week
Mayor Barbara Lee signals she will run for full term in November — you forget she came in on a special election after the recall.
BART hikes parking prices at 7 stations — West Oakland gets biggest jump from $13.90 to $18.
17-year-old driver faces vehicular manslaughter — The driver crashed into a group of pedestrians on an Oakland sidewalk last weekend.
Enjoy the long weekend folks!!
As always, appreciate you reading. Before you go drop some feedback. I’m listening.
See you in town,
-Kolby
Oaktown Weekly
P.S. How’d we do today?👇
What did you think of today's newsletter?
P.P.S
If you want to get our beer garden map or a birthday shoutout in this newsletter, refer your friends. Here’s your link: {{ rp_refer_url }}
Just drop that link and if your friend signs up and opens the first email, it counts.
